US Bridge Collapse Raises Infrastructure Safety Questions

The recent collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in the US has raised concerns about the safety of the country's infrastructure. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the bridge was 'fracture critical,' meaning it lacked built-in redundancies, and could crumple if a vital part failed. Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB, emphasized the importance of modern bridge construction with built-in redundancies. While fracture-critical bridges are a minority in the US, there are approximately 17,468 such bridges. The collapse has sparked questions about the adequacy of safety features for the bridge, including whether its age had rendered its protections outdated. Furthermore, uncertainties persist about the effectiveness of potential protections against a catastrophic event. The NTSB reported that the cargo ship involved had radioed for help before the collision, but it was too late. The incident has resulted in tragic consequences, with two bodies recovered from a submerged pickup truck. This incident has brought into focus the pressing need for infrastructure safety reassessments and preventative measures to avoid such disasters in the future.